Fueling success: The BU Food Pantry combats food insecurity on campus

Written by Bryn Gregory | Posted November 2024

One thing about Terriers is certain: they have each other’s backs. When students are in need, the community is quick to rally in their support—especially when it comes to food insecurity.

Past student efforts have aided in the creation of resources like the Student Food Rescue Initiative, while the Community Cares Pantry and the Wheelock Community cupboard were started with grants from the Wellbeing Project (now Student Wellbeing). So when four students—Saahil Adusumilli (SAR’22), Mary Campion (CAS’22), Eunice Lamothe (CAS’22), and Alexia Lancea (CAS’22)—joined the campus hunger challenge through Innovate@BU in spring 2020 and proposed Food@BU, there was a long tradition of support to build on.

The new initiative called for the implementation of a comprehensive campus program to increase food access by centralizing existing programs and developing an infrastructure to maintain the program’s sustainability. They won a $10,000 grant and reached out to Student Wellbeing to harness their idea. With a lot of hard work, and a grant from the Commonwealth, the students’ vision of consolidating and streamlining food rescue efforts came to life—the BU Food Pantry officially launched in Spring 2023.

Like previous food rescue efforts on campus, student involvement and feedback are at the heart of the Food Pantry’s operations. “We do a food pantry utilization survey every semester where we gain students’ feedback to improve our processes to make things better for students,” says Anisha Erasani, assistant director of Student Wellbeing, “Students have given a lot of positive feedback on the pantry’s impact on not only their access to food, but also the effects it’s had on [their ability] to have more energy and resources for other aspects of their wellbeing. Just not having to worry about where their next meal is coming from, really helps them use that energy on studying or their job or internship.”

“The Food Pantry has allowed me to still be able to eat healthy and take care of my body, since I’m an athlete, without having to worry about if I’m going to be able to afford to pay my bills,” said one survey respondent. “During the initial months, it really helped me manage my expenses in a new country as an international student,” said another.

Food insecurity is becoming increasingly prevalent across the United States as the cost of living remains high—especially in cities like Boston. In 2023, 13.5 percent (18 million) Americans reported experiencing limited or uncertain access to adequate food. College students in cities with high costs of living are among those impacted. The 2020 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) found that 39 percent of students at four-year colleges experienced food insecurity, and Boston University students are among those affected.

Food rescue efforts at BU began at the Community Service Center in 1988, when a group of students wanted to make a difference in food-related challenges they saw in their community. Their efforts created Student Food Rescue, one of the largest-run food salvage programs in the country, receiving and distributing over 50,000 pounds of food in donations annually. The Community Cares Pantry at Wheelock and Our Community Cupboard on the BU Medical Campus also worked to address food insecurity on campus.

Today, the BU Food Pantry is open to all undergraduate and graduate students and has two pickup locations—one on the Charles River campus and one on the Medical Campus. In addition to providing students with free non-perishable items, the Food Pantry helps connect students to food resources in the community, including meals, nutrition information, and other food pantries. And to make international students feel more at home, the Food Pantry stocks a variety of beans from different cultures—including red and black beans for students from Latin America, and chickpeas and lentils for students from East Asia.

The major contributing factor to food insecurity at BU is financial. Many undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds are able to attend BU thanks to scholarships and federal programs like the Pell Grant. Among the 3,145 members of BU’s class of 2027, 21 percent are first-generation college students, and 22 percent are Pell Grant recipients. But these scholarships don’t include meal plans or housing. Since Boston is one of the most expensive cities to rent an apartment in, many students struggle to make ends meet, and during certain periods, may be unable to afford food. Most graduate students are working adults who are supporting themselves—and often their families—all while getting their education.

And while many are able to make ends meet day-to-day, one emergency expense could change everything. Bankrate’s 2024 Emergency Savings report found that 27 percent of Americans have no emergency savings at all, and only 44 percent could pay an emergency expense of $1,000 or more from their savings. “[Food insecurity] could happen to anyone at any time,” says Erasani, “it’s something that can affect any student during their time here.”

“Having this resource, especially at the end of the semester when loans are depleted, was a huge save and mentally helped me feel more comfortable going into finals,” said one survey respondent.

For Erasani, combatting food insecurity on campus is personal. “I’ve experienced food insecurity, and I’ve lived in communities where other people have experienced food insecurity. Personally, it’s really important for me to see students not have to worry about food.”

Last year, the BU Food Pantry distributed more than 16,000 pounds of groceries—including bags of rice, canned veggies, and other shelf-stable foods. Demand for its services is growing, with students placing 530 orders in September 2024—an 87 percent increase from the 283 orders placed in September 2023.

And thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign last year, support for the Food Pantry from the Terrier community poured in. BU alums, students, and staff helped raise $52,946 from nearly 500 generous donors.

To meet the increasing demand and provide food to students experiencing food insecurity, the Food Pantry is again calling for support from the community. Consider making a gift to the food pantry’s crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 for the BU Food Pantry by November 25.

Support BU students facing food insecurity

“BU food pantry has allowed me to eat during weeks I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. As a first-gen, low-income student who is fully funding my education and way of life, the food pantry has served as a safety net and is a true lifesaver.” – BU student who used the food pantry last year